Canutillo ISD teachers and staff rose to the occasion by bringing spirit and excitement to welcome the new school year at the annual GRIT Convocation and Conference, the District’s official kick off of the school year.
Teachers and staff gathered at the Canutillo High School auditorium upon being enthusiastically greeted through a welcome procession led by Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz, CISD School Board members and the CHS cheerleaders. The entire District community, donned in their school colors, came ready to participate in content-specific training and staff development aimed at helping Canutillo students master the coming year. The theme of this year’s conference is “Rise Up.”
“This year’s GRIT conference is all about us as an entire District committing to rise up at all levels to ensure our students have the capacity to master academically, socially and emotionally and have a school year filled with success and fresh opportunities,” said Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Jesica Arellano. “We want to provide our teachers and staff with the skills and tools they need to help our students raise the bar for themselves throughout the year, no matter at what level they start at.”
The convocation started off with an address by Dr. Galaviz who praised teachers and staff for their contributions to the District and encouraged them to never lose sight of putting students first. The event’s keynote speaker Dr. Doug Luffbourough motivated the crowd with his inspirational story of overcoming homelessness and poverty to become a Harvard graduate. His message to teachers was to not let student circumstances define who they can become.
Attendees also had a chance to rock their best dance moves as a representative from each campus vied for the coveted CISD GRIT Spirit Stick. The 2nd annual Spirit Stick competition concluded with Bill Childress Elementary claiming victory for winning the dance challenge by mastering moves to Morris Day and the Time’s “The Bird.”
The GRIT professional development conference continues through, Wednesday, July 26 with the 3rd annual Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Bowl where teachers and staff receive training on practical tools and skills focused on fostering the physical, emotional, and relational health of students.
First Day of School for the Canutillo ISD is Monday, July 31. For more information about registration, schedules, uniforms, supply lists and everything you need for back-to-school readiness, visit the Ready, Set, School Hub at
www.canutillo-isd.org/firstday.